Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower Microgreens is a heirloom microgreen variety (Helianthus annuus). Harvest begins around day 85-95; seed germinates in 2-4 days. Set plants Dense seeding, 1.5-2 oz seeds per 10x20 tray apart. Grow in soil pH 6.0-7.5, zones 2-11, full sun (6+ hours). Plants reach 1-10 feet. It will crop in a container.

Sowing
Soak hulled sunflower seeds 8-12 hours, rinse, then sow on growing medium. Weight down during blackout period.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Water
- Moderate — regular watering
- Soil
- Well-draining potting mix or coconut coir blend
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.5
- Spacing
- Dense seeding, 1.5-2 oz seeds per 10x20 tray
- Height
- 1-10 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Pale green to yellow stems with green cotyledons
- Size
- 35-48"
- Shape
- Sturdy shoots with large, oval cotyledons
- Flavour
- Nutty, slightly sweet with a satisfying crunch
In the kitchen
Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, protein bowls
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Fungus gnats, aphids in indoor environments
- Diseases
- Damping off, mold from poor ventilation or overwatering
- Resistance
- Resistant to most diseases when grown with proper air circulation
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 2 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 3 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 4 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 5 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 6 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 7 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 8 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 9 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 10 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 11 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 12 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
| 13 | January – December | — | — | January – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 18.9
- Fat (g)
- 48.4
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 24.5
- Fibre (g)
- 7.22
- Calcium (mg)
- 116
- Iron (mg)
- 4.37
- Magnesium (mg)
- 302
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 732
- Potassium (mg)
- 657
- Zinc (mg)
- 5.58
- Selenium (µg)
- 17.8
Where to buy seed and equipment
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Sunflower Microgreens?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other microgreens with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Sunflower Microgreens suits these too.
- Purple Kohlrabi Microgreens 80 days
- Kale Microgreens 90 days
- Chives Microgreens 75 days
- Basil Microgreens 74 days
- Lemon Balm Microgreens 70 days
- Celery Microgreens 100 days